About Kezia: Originally from Indonesia, Kezia is happy to now call sunny Los Angeles home. Before starting her MBA, she earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Indonesia and spent nearly a decade building brands, products, and growth strategies across FMCG, retail, and e-commerce at companies including Blibli.com, Djarum, and Philip Morris International. At Anderson, Kezia is pursuing management consulting. Outside of class, she enjoys karaoke, spending time with fellow dog parents, and navigating LA life one grocery run at a time.

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I still remember the moment I got my acceptance. I was excited, of course. Moving to a new country for an MBA sounds exciting when you talk about it, but when you start booking a one-way ticket, figuring out housing, and realizing you’re about to rebuild your life from scratch, it hits differently.

Looking back, my experience at Anderson came in three phases: Settling In, Blending In, and Defining What’s Next. None of them went exactly how I expected, and that’s probably what made it meaningful.

Settling In: The One-Way Ticket Feeling

July 2025 was my second time visiting Los Angeles. But this time, I wasn’t visiting. I was moving here. Booking a one-way ticket felt exciting, but also slightly uncomfortable. It made everything feel real in a way that no acceptance letter could.

The first thing I had to figure out was housing. As an international student, campus housing felt like the safest option. It’s close to school, easier to manage, and removes a lot of uncertainty at the beginning. I highly recommend checking the UCLA University Housing website early to understand your options and timelines.

I was able to secure the unit I wanted, but I know not everyone does. A lot of my friends found great off-campus apartments around Westwood and Sawtelle, and the process was more manageable than I expected. If you end up going off-campus, platforms like Zillow and Facebook groups like UCLA Housing are very helpful to understand pricing and availability.

Beyond housing, it’s the small things that take time. Opening a bank account, setting up a phone plan, figuring out groceries, even understanding how daily life works.

If I could give one advice, it would be to arrive a bit earlier before school starts. It really helps to have a few days to settle in before everything begins.

Blending In: From “Will I Fit In?” to Feeling at Home

Before coming to Anderson, I had a lot of questions in my head. Would I fit in? Would I make friends easily? Would I feel out of place? But that feeling didn’t last long.

From the first cohort session, people were open, friendly, and genuinely interested in getting to know each other. It didn’t feel forced, it felt natural. The summer period helps a lot. There are many small events, section mixers, and casual hangouts. At first, I had to push myself to show up, especially when I didn’t know many people. But every time I did, it got easier.

I kept things simple. Just introducing myself, asking where people are from, what they did before MBA. Those small conversations slowly turned into real friendships.

By fall, your circle grows even more. You meet second-year students through clubs and events, and they are always willing to share their experiences. Blending in wasn’t as complicated as I thought. It really just came down to showing up, talking to people, and letting things happen from there.

Defining What’s Next: When Plans Change

I came into my MBA thinking I would go into marketing tech.That was my plan. But after going through the Summer Immersion Program and a few career advising sessions with Parker, I started to rethink things. I realized I was more drawn to problem solving, fast-paced projects, and the variety that consulting offers. So I decided to shift.

At that moment, it felt like starting over. New industry, new preparation style, and a much shorter time to get ready. This is where I really saw how Anderson supports students.

I relied on Parker, Parker TAs, ACT Coaches, IPT, second-year students, and my fellow first-years. Everyone played a role. Second-years were always open to share their experiences and give honest advice. My peers practiced cases with me almost every day. We exchanged materials, gave feedback, and kept each other accountable.

What stood out to me was how open people are in sharing what works. It never felt like a negative competition. If someone figured something out, they shared it. I felt very supported during a time when I was figuring things out from scratch. 

If there’s one thing I would say, it’s to stay open. You might come in with a clear plan, but it’s okay if that plan changes. In fact, it probably will. Use this time to explore what actually brings out the best in you. Sometimes it’s something you haven’t done before, something you didn’t expect, or something you never thought you would consider.

And I think that’s what the MBA is really for. To explore, try things out, and figure out what actually fits you.

Final Thoughts

If you’re about to start your MBA as an international student, you don’t need to have everything figured out. Focus on settling in, showing up, talking to people, and staying open. Your journey might not go exactly as planned. But that’s not a bad thing.

Sometimes, the most meaningful outcomes come from the paths you didn’t expect to take.

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Student Blogger: Kezia Elkardiana ‘27
Undergrad: University of Indonesia
Pre-MBA: Business Development at Djarum Business Group
Leadership@Anderson: EVP Anderson Ambassador Corps; VP of Education Management Consulting Association, SVP of Operation and Planning of Strategy Operation Management Association